News and views January 2019

Tintagel turns ten!

Cornwall Hospice Care’s popular charity shop in Tintagel has just celebrated its 10th birthday. The occasion was marked with a tea party and presentations of Long Service Awards to the five volunteers who’ve been giving their time since the shop first opened. Managing the store on its first day was Justine Cook, now a Business Development Manager for the Cornish charity, who told the assembled guests: “I’d like to say a huge thank you to volunteers Roma, Brian, Sheila, Maureen and Elizabeth for joining me ten years ago when our story began.” She added: “With your continuing commitment we can raise as much money as possible to help fund the care we provide to terminally ill people across Cornwall, as well as their carers, families and friends.”

Originating from the Renaissance gardens of Italy, orangeries were built on the grounds of fashionable residences and were dedicated to growing oranges and other fruit trees, soon becoming symbols of status amongst the wealthy. Phil at Philip Whear Windows and Conservatories tells us: “We produce bespoke uPVC and timber orangeries from our factory in Cornwall in any colour of your choice, offering thermally efficient top quality products, guaranteeing strength and durability, plus we fully reinforce our uPVC frames with aluminium that won’t rust unlike steel, which is of particular importance due to our coastal climate here in Cornwall.” To discover more, make sure to head to the showroom in Pool where you can find a range of products and see the joiners and fabricators at work, or visit the website.

If you’re thinking about selling your house or wondering what to do before you put it on the market, staging your home ready to sell does not have to be difficult or break the bank, according to Candice from My Place in Cornwall.

One tip Candice offers is to stand back and take an objective look at your furniture. “Think what a buyer would think of your three-piece suite and how that might reflect on the rest of the property. A new modern sofa will prove a worthwhile investment for you.”

Your lighting is important too. Lamps, downlighters and picture lights can really transform the look of a room.

Finally, Candice tells us: “New cushions are a must if your living room is lacking the ‘x’ factor. This is an easy and inexpensive way to make a big impact. Mix and match some different textures to add a ‘hotel-chic’ feel to your living room.

Owned and run by husband and wife team, David and Jo Retallack, Retallack Kitchens prides itself not only on producing beautifully finished kitchens to any budget, but on tailoring its service to you, whatever your needs.

Catching up with David and Jo, we find out that they have worked closely with a number of Cornish holiday homes – properties that are not always occupied or heated, leaving their kitchen tiles susceptible to gathering dirt and mould, especially the grout.

Jo tells us that glass, particularly splashbacks, can be a fantastic alternative, being especially easy to clean and keep free of mould. She explains: “Whether it’s a second home or primary residence, glass is so much quicker to clean for those leading busy lifestyles, or indeed those with a number of holiday lets to clean on changeover day!”

David continues: “Not just that, there are limitless options of design and you can print the glass to look like tiles, if that’s what you want. We even had a picture of a cow printed on one to go behind a cooker when we did a kitchen for a local farmer!”

If your kitchen is proving somewhat of a nightmare to keep clean, or you’re looking to add a splash of colour and style, why not get in touch with David and Jo and discover why a glass splashback might just be the option for you?

When it comes to buying flooring, it’s important to touch and feel either the fabric of your carpet or the texture of your hard floor because after all, at the end of a long day when you kick your shoes off you want to be comfortable. And if you visit the Alfords Flooring showroom you can also pick up samples to take home and see if they’ll fit in with your colour scheme. Then there’s the fact you can talk to an experienced flooring expert and have the security of a fitting guarantee, product guarantee and the option to have an extended warranty on certain carpets thanks to Alfords being part of The Carpet Foundation. Also allowing you to benefit from a comprehensive after-care service, in the unlikely event a problem should arise!

“Since losing my mum, over the last few years my father has made a considerable effort to get out and meet new people. But, as his eyesight deteriorated and he was forced to stop driving, his day-to-day activities became very restricted. Mentally he is as full of life as ever, but his confidence was knocked, finding it difficult to get about and keep on top of things at home. Our family all live miles away and understandably, he does not want to move away from the area he knows and loves. After hearing about Bluebird Care through a friend, dad was happy to give it a go.”

Claire tells us: “The transformation has been amazing! Stella is friendly and professional and her and dad get on like a house on fire. She spends between five and eight hours a day with dad, and it’s been a lifesaver for him. He doesn’t worry about how to get out and meet his friends, as Stella can drop him off, and if they pop round, she’s happy to make them a drink or a snack, which he thinks is wonderful.”

“Live-in Companionship Care won’t suit everyone, but the regular human contact and friendly face, not worrying about coping or caring for his home has been a life changer for dad. He says he feels 10 years younger! It’s also been a huge relief for our family, seeing dad being himself again, and knowing there’s someone there if he’s unwell or can’t find something, or simply wants to get outside and enjoy a sunny day.”

We hear from Vanessa Stevens, curator and owner of Essa Collection, who tells us: “A wardrobe refresh will depend on how much you’re able to invest. It can easily be achieved with a change of scarves or accessories, although a well chosen top can mix with what’s already in your wardrobe giving a fresh look for the new year.” Vanessa emphasises that choosing items that already fit in with what you have will bring more wearability to all your outfits: “A capsule wardrobe makes choosing what to wear each day simple, so you can dress with confidence.” And if you want help to build your wardrobe then the team at Essa are happy to search for the perfect style and colour, Vanessa explains: “Feel free to bring your favourites for us to match for you, our main concern is customer satisfaction and we’re always happy to help.”

Following the busy festive season we catch up with Mike Lacey at Waves Gallery who tells us: “What a wonderful Christmas and New Year, thank you to everyone who purchased art work from us over the holidays for their loved ones. Speaking of loved ones, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner so what better time to take a look at our Cornish Heart image available in lots of different sizes and formats.” A truly beautiful shot, the image is now available in HD metal and new for this year is the popular heart triple also set on HD metal. Mike continues: “We look forward to seeing you in the Porthleven and Falmouth galleries throughout 2019, and if you can’t make it in this year then please feel free to visit our website. Happy New Year from the Waves Gallery team.”

Interiora has become synonymous with bathroom ranges that ooze quality and stunning craftsmanship. Rather than conforming to standard bathroom furniture trends, Interiora is always on the lookout for more luxurious and sophisticated designs. The showroom in Newlyn has a stunning range of everything you need to realise your dream bathroom.

Catching up with Interiora design expert, Megan Dack, we learn that the Interiora showroom has just had a facelift! “We have all-new furniture ranges from Calypso, Crosswater and many others, plus lots of new tile ranges including the new porcelain Lily Pad tile (pictured), large format tiles and some rustic grey wood effect tiles.”

The new ranges also include a fabulous wall mounted basin unit with a glass basin, a beautiful addition to their contemporary range and one that’s sure to prove popular as people look to upgrade their homes for the year ahead.

If you’re approaching a state of panic over filing your tax return this month then we have the solution to help make your new year run as smoothly as possible. White Woods are experts in administrative support and are currently helping many of their clients to prepare for their self-assessments and the year ahead. Director Amy Wood tells us: “It’ll soon be time to start preparing for the busy summer season, so let us know how we can give you a helping hand to make sure this year is the easiest one yet.” Covering all avenues of administration from book-keeping to customer services; if you’re feeling in desperate need of a holiday or simply to free up some time, then get in touch with the White Woods team today and discover how they can help you.

MEDFacials in Truro provide the highest quality products and services, ensuring you receive the very best available care for your skin. The team, led by Dr Joachim Stolte, also offer complete hair loss treatment, the likes of which you won’t find anywhere else in Cornwall, and it doesn’t stop there.

One treatment that’s proving extremely popular, Dr Stolte tells us, is Profhilo. “This is the first stabilised injectable hyaluronic acid (HA) based product for treating skin laxity. Profhilo is not only boosting and hydrating, it also remodels the ageing and sagging tissue!”

Delivering great results as a treatment on its own, or in combination with other aesthetic treatments currently on offer, Profhilo has opened up a whole new injectable category – bioremodeling. Dr Stolte finishes: “It’s creating a real buzz amongst practitioners, with many calling it ‘the most exciting development in injectable treatments in a very long time!”

Driven by creating beautiful jewellery that’s free from environmental damage and humanitarian issues, KinetIQue Jewellery has become synonymous with the company’s own lab-grown IQ Diamond. Representing excellent value, this ethical stone’s core only exists in its natural form from an exploding star. It’s a world first and, as you might expect, has taken the international jewellery market by storm!

It’s with great excitement then that Elaine Reffell tells us: “Thanks to the IQ Diamond and great customer service, KinetIQue has grown so well that opening a showroom in Truro was the logical next step – we’re excited to be opening on Princes Street, Truro in the New Year! People can make appointments to come in, browse jewellery and talk over their own bespoke designs, whether it’s a gift to say ‘I love you’, or the perfect engagement ring.”

Championing jewellery that’s kind, not mined, be sure to visit the new KinetIQue showroom in Truro!

If you’re a proud owner of a holiday home but find yourself rushed off your feet on changeover days, perhaps Holiday Home Waste Collection could be of service. Cornwall Council’s new legislation now classes holiday home waste as commercial waste disposal, meaning domestic waste carriers no longer collect it. With this in mind, Holiday Home Waste Collection has introduced a collection service on all changeover days, offering a unique service and clean bins when guests arrive without having to sign on to a commercial waste removal contract.

Owned by Jennifer Brown, and run by family members, the company is an Environment Agency registered waste carrier, serving holiday lets all along the beautiful Camel Estuary, with new areas getting added weekly, and its incredible service costs just £4.50 per bag.

This includes the bags, removal of general/recycling waste and glass recycling. Bins are also checked, cleaned and left with a new bin liner.

There are two options within this service,and both are proving to be extremely popular so make sure to get in touch to see which option will suit you better. Given the recent changes in legislation, it makes sense to arrange a waste disposal service that suits you, rather than paying for one that doesn’t, so why not give the team a call and streamline your schedule?

In an ongoing series of holiday home tips, we hear from George at Cornish Traditional Cottages about how to treat your holiday home guests.

Once your property is ‘out there’, George explains, “enquiries should start to come in. Although not all of them will result in a booking, you should treat them all as potential guests. This means responding professionally and promptly – always aim for a maximum of a few hours, same day if you can. Go that extra mile by offering extra information, or try to accommodate people by suggesting alternative arrangements if your property can’t cater for them on their chosen dates.”

One top tip George offers is that holidaymakers may enquire about several properties at once, so the quicker you respond, the more likely you are to secure the booking!

A key moment in your guests’ experience is when they arrive. “You may like to organise a personal meet-and-greet for your guests. This gives you the chance to get to know your guests, introduce them to your Cornish holiday home and answer any questions in person. If this isn’t practical or desirable (some guests prefer to let themselves in), make sure you have provided clear instructions on getting the key, and make the process as simple as possible.”

Ultimately, you want to make it your maxim to keep your guests as satisfied as possible with your holiday home. The happier they are, the more likely they are to return and recommend it to their friends.

British bed maker, Rest Assured, starts the year on a high, as it proudly opens a brand new showroom with Alfred Smith & Son in Penzance, Cornwall.

You can visit the beautiful showroom and experience the extensive range of Rest Assured pocket spring mattresses and beds, which are all handcrafted in Great Britain. Alfred Smith & Son’s in-store bed and mattress specialists are on hand to help you find your perfect Rest Assured mattress and what’s more, you’ll benefit from the Rest Assured 60 night comfort trial guarantee.

This new showroom showcases the latest Rest Assured products in a fantastic store where you’ll receive the most outstanding service, ensuring you find the right mattress and bed for you.

The start of the new year provides the perfect opportunity to refresh your lifestyle and reinvigorate your home, so why not kick off your New Year’s resolutions by changing the way you sleep with The Cornish Bed Company? Especially since the artisan bed maker is offering a 15% discount off its entire website range during January, exclusively for readers of Cornwall Living.

The Cornish Bed Company is proud to create bed frames that look spectacular in any room and are built to provide a lifetime of great sleep. The company has also recently extended its range of hand cast beds by unveiling eight brand new designs. Based on its classic bed collection, these new styles were inspired by requests from customers to make bespoke beds.

The small team of skilled artisans at the company’s foundry in Par, in the heart of our beautiful county, uses traditional techniques championed by their Victorian forefathers. Each bed frame is hand poured using gravity casting and then individually numbered, creating a unique product for every customer. The company is one of the last in the country to manufacture beds in this way, flying the flag for sustainability and craftsmanship.

To claim your discount, enter the code CORNWALLLIVING15 at the checkout. The offer runs from Boxing Day until the end of January so you can start the new year right with a comfortable night’s sleep in a beautiful bed.

Spyrys Spas and Hot Tubs in Wadebridge recently received two awards from industry professionals at the UK Pool & Spa Awards 2018 Gala Dinner, held at the NEC in December. These prestigious national awards recognise the team’s unique approach to customer service and aftercare. Shortlisted finalists receive votes from the industry, the public and a judging panel made up of experts in the category fields.

Owner and Showroom Manager, Sharon, tells us: “We are absolutely delighted to win these awards. It shows we must be doing something right as we just had our busiest year ever, and this is just the icing on the cake!”

If you’re in the market for a luxury spa or hot tub, Spyrys’ showroom in Wadebridge is well worth a visit!